The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-28
Facts About the Census.

1t will be two years before the work Of
taking the eleventh census is begun, but
some of the preparations for taking it will
be made at the present session of Congress.
A committee ON the census will be APP
pointed, of which Mr.. Cox, of New York,
will be chairman. He is we'll fitted for that
position for two reasons. One is that he
was member of the committee which out
lined the plan for taking the tenth census,
and tie other is that he takes great interest
in all matters relat ng to the census. While
he represented this country in Turkey he
spent considerable time in studying the
methods employed by European nations in
taking their respective censuses. 1t is
probable, therefore, that he is prepared to
introduce some changes in the plans that
have been followed heretofore that win in
sure greater promptness and accuracy.
The tenth census is not entirely com
pleted yet A small appropriation is needed
to finish it. 1t is barely possible that some
thing with regard to it will remain undone
when the taking of the next census is be-
gun. From this condition of affairs it is
apparent that the task of collecting the nee
essary information, putting it into shape
and publishing it is much greater one than
the general public has any idea of.
In view of the fact that the work of
taking the census will not be begun until
two years from next June, it would seem as
If Congress were rather anxious about the
matter, but the truth is it is none too soon
for getting ready. The subjects
70 be included in the census, the methods for
gathering information, the divisions of the
territory and many other things must be
decided upon long time before even the
appointment of those who are TO do the
canvassing, for the reason that an extraor-
binary amount of printing is involved in
the preparation of the blanks
Preparations for the tenth census
were begun little over year before the
enumerators entered upon their task, but
that length of time was found to be alto
gether too short. The preparations for the
ninth census were begun so late that they
were not finished in time to be of any use,
and that census was taken in accordance
with the law and plans # 1850. In order to
secure accuracy a great deal of preliminary
work is necessary, and accuracy is what
MIR. Cox is aiming at.
In the census work there are really four
great divisions First, the plans and the
printing of the blanks; second, the collec-
ton OF information; third tabulating it,
and fourth, publishing it. The census of
1880 cost about $5,S00,000, and it is esti-
mated that the next one will cost about So
100000. The average cost for several CEN
suses has been about 911c. per capita, and, as
the estimated population is in the neigh
borhood of GA 200, 600, it is not probable that
the cost will be much beyond the sum
named.
Great care will be taken in enumerating
the population, as the enumeration will be
the basis of representation in Congress
The E-.u g is already crowded, and unless
the basis Of representation is changed the
hall of the House will have to be enlarged
before the present century closes. As the
number of Representatives is fully as large as
it ought to be, and as large as can be hand
led satisfactorily, it would probably be wise
to change the basis of representation. II
will be time enough to settle that matter.
however, when the question of apportior-
ment is presented